1. In the letter dated 1 July 1998 from the Commons
Clerk of Committee, the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments
has requested a memorandum from the Department on the following
point:

Since this instrument corrects a defect in
an earlier instrument (S.I. 1998/81), explain whether arrangements
have been made (as required by paragraph 3.24 of Statutory Instrument
Practice) for copies of the amending instrument to be made available
free of charge to all known recipients of the earlier one. If
so, explain why the amending instrument does not bear a headnote
to that effect (see paragraph 3.25 of Statutory Instrument Practice).

2. The amendment effected by these Regulations, following
the amendments already effected by the earlier amending instrument
(S.I. 1998/81), is very limited. It is the considered view
of the Department that manufacturers of relevant products are
unlikely to take advantage of the transitional provisions in S.I.
1990/13 introduced by S.I. 1998/81 to any great extent due to
a desire to use the revised and updated standards. Nevertheless,
relevant parties have already been alerted to the correction to
those transitional provisions made by these Regulations.

3. However, it is accepted that arrangements should
have been made with HMSO to make these Regulations available free
of charge to those who have already bought or who subsequently
purchase S.I. 1998/81. It is regretted that these had not been
made before making the instrument but steps have now been taken
so that these Regulations are available free of charge. The Department
apologises for the omission of a relevant headnote to these Regulations.